Empty Stocking Fund returns to help area’s needy

The Amarillo Globe-News Empty Stocking Fund was started in 1972 by local social worker Frances Powell and husband Putt Powell, A longtime Amarillo Globe-News sports writer and sports editor, to help recipients purchase such basic items such as clothing, shoes and warm coats for the winter.

Donations from generous newspaper readers have kept the Powells’ legacy alive and helped countless people these past 45 years.

Susie Self, Amarillo Globe-News special events coordinator, said that every penny of the $3.5 million donated since the fund’s inception has been used for residents in the Amarillo community who find themselves in need.

Area social service agencies and nursing homes submit applications on behalf of clients who are identified as meeting the criteria.

The Empty Stocking Fund Committee screens each application individually and then determines whether the client will receive a voucher to go toward the requested items.

Self says that when the committee meets, each member takes their time to look at each request. They want to ensure they will be helping the people who really need help.

“We want to be good stewards of people’s money,” Self said.

The applications go through three levels of screening.

First there’s a thorough screening by the nominating agency, then an initial screening by the ESF Committee. After the first two steps, an additional screening by the committee confirms names and addresses plus guarantees that only one agency has submitted a request for that particular client.

Lisa Hancock of the Area Agency on Aging finds the experience as an ESF Committee member very rewarding and knows firsthand the difference the vouchers make in the lives of the recipients. In her work, she has nominated many clients for the fund and remembers many recipients requesting “just the basics,” such as clothing and underwear she said.

Hancock sid she has served on the ESF Committee for about 15 or 16 years. She was employed by Jan Werner Adult Day Care for 17 years and first began serving as a committee member during her time there. She’s been with Area Agency on Aging for 12 years now and is still going strong on the ESF Committee.

Hancock said those with very limited resources rely on assistance from the fund this time of year — there are no other programs from which they would otherwise get this kind of help.

“They are so excited to get a new pair of jeans and jacket — something new to them,” Hancock said.

She also said many of her clients have made the comment that this would be “the only Christmas they would get.”

“Those of us that have other means don’t think about it,” Hancock said, emphasizing how important the vouchers are to recipients. She said that some people struggle to just get food on the table and pay for necessary medications.

She said she has also helped applicants apply for other items such as walkers and very expensive custom orthopedic shoes. Because of the high cost, one recipient hadn’t been able to purchase her special shoes for several years when the fund helped her buy them. “She was so grateful to get the help,” Hancock siad.

Susan Stokes, a 26-year ESF Committee member, nursing home social worker and a “natural-born helper” agrees that assistance received by the ESF is critical.

She sees the social work community doing their part to help those on their caseloads with a flood of applications pouring in from Texas Department of State Health Services, Department of Aging and Disability, Salvation Army, Catholic Family Services, Faith City Mission, Family Support Services and others.

Stokes said she sees agency caseworkers seeking assistance for their clients with warm winter clothing, microwaves and even food.

She said that in some cases nursing homes receive a set amount for each financially eligible resident and then a staff member such as the activity director shops for what each resident needs.

Case managers and nursing home staff who want to nominate clients they have identified as meeting ESF criteria can obtain the individual application and cover sheet, the nursing home application, and the ESF release form online at amarillo.com/esf. One application per household will be accepted.

Self said she wants to ensure client requests are fulfilled and said complete and detailed applications are important.

“We will deny the applications if there is not enough information,” she said.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as those of disabled or elderly clients, applications will be denied if the recipient has been awarded a voucher in the two prior years. The ESF Committee will consider applications of clients with a chronic situation that can’t be changed — these clients can continue to apply annually.

Anonymous recipient profiles will be printed in the Amarillo Globe-News on Sundays through Christmas Eve. A Christmas Day wrap-up story will be also be printed.

Amarillo Globe-News readers and the area’s compassionate and philanthropic communities are what keep Frances and Putt Powell’s legacy going and a reality for those who benefit from the ESF.

Started by a social worker so many years ago to help fill the gaps for those whose income doesn’t come close to giving or stretching, the ESF continues to provide essential items and necessities to members of our community.

And, as a present-day social worker caring for people in the area, Stokes’ description of herself easily describes devoted committee members and the time-tested and dependable Empty Stocking Fund itself: “As long as I can help people, that’s what I’m here to do,” Stokes said.

How to help

Donations for the ESF can be mailed to:

Empty Stocking Fund

P.O. Box 2091

Amarillo, TX 79166

Donations can be made in memory of or in honor of loved ones by enclosing a card or note indicating such with the donation.